Charleston County Court
Charleston County Inmate Search

Charleston County, South Carolina Inmate Search

An inmate search is a public service that allows individuals to check if someone is currently in custody within a specific facility. Charleston County provides public access to inmate records to maintain transparency and assist families in finding their loved ones. The Sheriff’s Office manages the primary detention center and its associated roster. While the county manages local arrests, the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) oversees state-managed prisons for those already sentenced to longer terms.

Some larger incorporated cities within the county may have their own police departments that assist with initial processing before transferring individuals to the county facility. For example, the two most populous cities in the county, Charleston and North Charleston, operate the City of Charleston Police Department and the North Charleston Police Department, respectively. While these departments perform law enforcement duties and make arrests, they typically utilize the County Detention Center for long-term housing. Most searches for individuals arrested within these cities may eventually lead to the county-wide jail roster.

How to Find an Inmate in Charleston County Jail

The Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center (SACDC) serves as the primary facility for individuals awaiting trial or serving short-term sentences in Charleston County. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office operates this facility under a mission to protect citizens while preserving the rights of those incarcerated.

To find an inmate specifically housed at the Charleston County jail, individuals should contact the Sheriff’s Office or use the official online roster. The detention center and the Sheriff’s main administrative offices are located at the same complex in North Charleston.

3841 Leeds Avenue

North Charleston, SC 29405

Phone: (843) 202-7200

How to Use the Charleston County Jail Roster

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office provides an online search tool to make finding inmate information easy. This tool is available to the public and works best in modern web browsers. Users can access the roster through the official Charleston County website under the Sheriff’s Office section. This system allows searches based on multiple criteria to ensure accuracy.

To use the roster, visitors should follow these steps:

Access the inmate roster from the Sheriff’s Office website.
Enter the last name of the individual or the inmate number in the dedicated search box.
Provide a first name, if known. to constrain the search results.
Select a "Booking Date" range if the exact date is uncertain.
Check the "Show Past Bookings" box if the individual is no longer in active custody but was recently released.
Click "Search" to generate a list of matches.

Individuals can call the main office at (843) 202-7200 for assistance. The staff can provide basic information regarding the status of a person in their custody.

What Information is Included in the Charleston County Inmate Roster

Charleston County inmate search results provide several key details about an arrested person’s current custody status and housing. This information helps families, legal professionals, and the public understand where an individual is and why they are being held.

Most search results include the following:

The arrested individual’s full name, height, and weight
Unique inmate number
Date of birth, gender, and race
The booking date (when the person officially entered the detention facility)
Arresting agency, warrant number, bond amount, and charge status
Booking status, which indicates whether an inmate is still in custody or has been released
Scheduled court date

Some information remains restricted to protect privacy and safety. For example, Charleston County does not release information about juvenile offenders to the general public, as required by South Carolina Code of Laws Sections 63-19-2010 and 63-19-2030.

Contact Details for Charleston County Jail or Sheriff’s Office

Contacting the Charleston County Jail or Sheriff’s Office is the most reliable way to obtain official inmate updates or ask specific questions. The Processing Division at the detention center manages the intake of approximately 33,000 inmates every year. This division includes specialized teams for records, transportation, and victim services. If a person needs to attend a bond hearing, they should visit the Centralized Bond Hearing office. Specific addresses and contact numbers are provided below.

Department	Address	Phone Number
Main Sheriff’s Office	3841 Leeds Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405	(843) 202-7200
Detention Processing Division	3841 Leeds Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405	(843) 529-7477
Victim Witness Office	3841 Leeds Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405	(843) 529-7471
Central Bond Hearing	3870 Leeds Avenue, Suite 106, North Charleston, SC 29405	(843) 746-9822

Jail Facility Overview in Charleston County

Charleston County manages several detention facilities to house individuals at various stages of the legal process. The largest facility in the county is the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center (SACDC), located in North Charleston. This facility is the primary hub for adult males and females, including those awaiting trial and those serving short-term sentences. The detention center maintains a total capacity of 1,693 inmates across four separate buildings. While male and female inmates are housed in the same general complex, the staff separate them into different areas to ensure safety and privacy.

In addition to the adult population, the county operates the Charleston County Juvenile Detention Center (CCJDC), a secure facility for youth ages 11 and older. The CCJDC provides custodial care and acute treatment while juveniles wait for court appearances or further placement.

Agency/Facility	Office and Mail Address	Phone Number	Office Hours	Email
Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center	3841 Leeds Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405	(843) 202-7200	24 hours a day	PublicInfo@CharlestonCounty.org
Juvenile Detention Center	4450 Brickyard Creek Road, North Charleston, SC 29405	(843) 529-7300	24 hours a day	PublicInfo@CharlestonCounty.org

How to Send Money to an Inmate in the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center

The Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center operates as a cashless facility, meaning incarcerated individuals cannot keep physical currency. Instead, every inmate has a specialized account that allows them to purchase items/products from the commissary or "canteen." Family and friends can fund these accounts using several convenient methods.

One common way to deposit funds is to use the kiosk located in the lobby of the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center. This machine accepts deposits for inmate canteen accounts. For those who prefer online options, individuals can visit the facility’s payment portal, which is operated by a private business, to make a deposit.

Additionally, the facility accepts deposits via U.S. Mail by money order. These money orders must be made out to the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center and must only include the inmate’s full name and identification number on the memo line. The staff will return any money orders that appear altered or are made out incorrectly.

There are specific limits and timing rules for these deposits. An inmate can spend up to $100 per week on commissary items. To ensure funds are available for the week, staff must receive the deposit before 8:00 a.m. on Monday.

Inmate Search by Jail Facility

Charleston County provides different ways to locate individuals based on the facility where they are housed. Because of privacy laws and security needs, some rosters are public while others remain restricted.

Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center (Adults): The Sheriff’s Office hosts a public inmate search tool on its official website. This tool allows users to find current inmates by entering a last name, first name, or a specific inmate number. The system also allows searches by Inmate Number.
Juvenile Detention Center: In accordance with South Carolina Code of Laws Sections 63-19-2010 and 63-19-2030, the county does not release information about juvenile offenders over the phone or through online searches. Parents or legal guardians must go directly to the Juvenile Detention Center at 4450 Brickyard Creek Road to acquire any information regarding their child.

Facility Name	Public Inmate Roster	Where to Find Information
Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center	Yes	The CCSO’s online inmate roster.
Juvenile Detention Center	No	Must visit the facility in person (Parents/Guardians only).

Charleston County Visitation Rules and Schedules

To enhance facility security and reduce inmate movement, the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center uses a video visitation system for social visits. This system is crucial for preventing the introduction of prohibited items (contraband) into the housing units. Inmates are eligible to receive visitors only after they have been held at the facility for at least 72 hours.

To visit a loved one, one must follow these guidelines:

Approval and Setup: All personal visitors must set up an account on the visitation website. Only individuals 17 years of age or older can schedule visits, though younger children may participate if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Identification: Visitors must present a valid picture ID. Out-of-state visitors with a valid ID may be granted one unscheduled visit if space allows.
Dress Code: The facility enforces a strict dress code. Visitors cannot wear halter tops, tank tops, fishnet shirts, or any clothing made of see-through fabric. Both shirts and shoes are mandatory for the duration of the visit.
Behavior and Duration: The staff will cancel any visit involving disruptive conduct or visitors who appear under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Personal visits last 30 minutes, and each inmate is allowed a maximum of 3 visits every 7 calendar days.

Personal online visits follow a daily schedule from Sunday through Saturday during these specific blocks:

8:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
1:00 p.m. to 4:25 p.m.
7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Mailing and Commissary Information

The Charleston County Detention Center uses a digital scanning process for personal mail to ensure safety. Since May 1, 2023, the facility no longer accepts physical personal mail sent to inmates. Instead, individuals are now required to send mail to a scanning site (the correct address format is provided on the Sheriff’s website). Subsequently, the scanned mail will be provided on handheld tablets for inmates to view.

Staff will return any mail items to the sender if they contain prohibited materials. Disallowed items include food, clothing, cosmetics, toiletries, and Polaroid photographs. One should not send cash, personal checks, or stamps, as inmates can purchase these items from the canteen.

Books and magazines are only permitted if they are approved and sent directly to the facility from a publisher or recognized distributor. Physical mail sent to the scanning site is destroyed 60 days after it is uploaded, so senders who want their original letters back must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.